Nowadays, insurance plays an integral role in protecting the assets and livelihoods of businesses and individuals. When you need assistance navigating the vast insurance landscape to find the right coverage for you and your loved ones, or you and your organization, many people look to the guidance and expertise of insurance professionals.
Two types of insurance professionals that exist in the insurance sphere are insurance brokers and insurance agents. These are not one in the same. In fact, understanding which is which and what the differences are between the two of them may be critical to making an informed decision regarding coverage solutions for your prized assets.
Both an insurance agent and an insurance broker will seek to assist you with helping find you insurance, but their means of doing so and their relationships with insurance providers are different. Let’s get into the difference between an insurance agent vs an insurance broker.
An Insurance Agent
Insurance agents are licensed professionals who serve as a representative of an insurance company. Their job is to sell insurance policies on behalf of the carrier that they represent. As such, they generally have a contractual relationship with the insurance companies that they work for.
An insurance agent is knowledgeable about the insurance products and offerings that their company sells. They work one-on-one with clients and get to know their insurance needs, plus they may recommend suitable coverage options tailored to that individual or entity’s circumstances. Finally, insurance agents may also assist in completing insurance applications, provide guidance through the insurance purchasing process, and can explain policy terms and conditions.
An Insurance Broker
An insurance broker, also a licensed professional, works independently of any insurance carrier and represents the best interest of their clients, not any one company. Brokers have the freedom to work with multiple insurance companies and won’t represent just the one. This also may mean they have a broader range of insurance options to offer to clients.
Insurance brokers behave as intermediaries between clients and insurance companies, and leverage their industry knowledge to analyze risk, advise, and shop for suitable insurance policies. The advantage of insurance brokers is their objectivity and independence. They work with the client one-on-one but because they’re not tied to any specific insurance company, they can offer unbiased advice and always behave and act in the best interest of their clients. Their fiduciary duty is to the client, meaning they are obligated to prioritize the clients’ interests above that of any insurance company’s.
What are the key differences between an insurance broker and insurance agent?
Both an insurance agent and an insurance broker must obtain the necessary licenses and fulfill the required regulatory requirements that are mandated by the province of Quebec, or whatever province in Canada they operate in. They must complete pre-licensing education, pass their necessary licensing exams, and continue to meet ongoing educational obligations to maintain their licenses.
They key difference between an insurance broker and an insurance agent is that where an insurance agent may only sell insurance from the company that they represent and be limited to the offerings of that particular carrier, an insurance broker can represent numerous different insurance brokers and therefore have multiple offerings to present to the client.
An insurance agent does have valuable expertise, but being affiliated with specific insurance companies may mean that there are limited to what their company represents. As well, their primary duty is to the company – not the client – where the broker negotiates on behalf of the client and always has the client’s best interests first.
Choosing Between an Insurance Agent and an Insurance Broker
For more comprehensive insurance and tailor-made solutions to your unique needs, choosing an insurance broker is best. You’ll get more options to choose from and can compare between companies to get the best price, thereby assuring you’ll get the lowest cost for the best coverage. Plus, if you ever need to make a claim, your insurance broker will side with you before they side with the insurance company. They put your best interests first.
There are instances where choosing an insurance agent might make sense. If you have a preference for a particular insurance company, you might work with an insurance agent who represents that company. This could also be because you already have a policy through this insurance company and want ease of access, plus the potential discount you could be awarded for multiple policies.
Purchasing insurance through an agent also may be quicker if you’re looking for an immediate one-and-done. Since they won’t do any comparison between other insurers, you can get your insurance solutions immediately and not have to waste time.
Most of the time, we adviser choosing a broker for the best rates, personalized advisory services, multiple options, and uniquely tailored policies!
AssurUni: Canada’s Most Skilled, Independent Insurance Brokers
AssurUni is Canada’s hub for skilled, independent insurance brokers who help clients acquire personal or commercial damage insurance coverage. Since our inception in 2018, we have been added highly skilled people to our team of independent insurance brokers, who all speak various languages to support a multilingual clientele! We are considered to be Canada’s fastest growing home for entreprenuial-minded damage insurance brokers.
Our team offers state-of-the-art software and facilities, in-house accounting, and access to some of Canada’s most reputable providers. If you are interested in becoming a part of our team, click the link below to talk with us below and see if our hub is the right fit for you and your entrepreneurial desires!